Breakout Session 4

Literally Just Ask: 
Letting Your Audience Plan for You

Presented by Jacy Werning / Schindler Education Center 301
In the midst of social media chaos we often ask ourselves “is this what our audience really wants to see?” But what would happen if we actually asked them? This is a reminder that sometimes the most effective social media strategy isn’t a trend report or a crystal ball, it’s a question sticker, especially in the ever-changing world of college students. Learn how asking "what do you want to see?" turned into nearly half a million views. Using a real-world case study from an orientation cycle at UNI, this presentation walks through the brainstorms, content, data and proven success that came from (you guessed it) literally just asking. The session wraps with hands-on small group work, giving participants the chance to turn audience answers into a strategic plan of their own, and leave with a framework they can actually use.

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Reigniting Your Passion: 
Leading with Purpose in Your Role

Presented by Mary Sakyi & Mariam Muda / Schindler Education Center 303
When you ask any student affairs professional why they chose their career in higher education, many will cite a passion for working with students and a desire to positively impact and transform students’ lives. While this sense of purpose often draws individuals into the field, the realities of higher education work, such as limited resources, shifting political and institutional climates, and increasing demands to remain student-centered, have contributed to significant burnout among professionals. As a result, many higher education practitioners have considered leaving the field altogether. Despite these challenges, one thing remains true for the student affairs profession, and that is a genuine interest in making a meaningful contribution to the lives of students.

This interactive professional development workshop is designed to support higher education professionals in reconnecting with their purpose and values. The session will focus on helping participants reflect on what initially drew them to the field, identify what currently fuels or drains their passion, and explore ways to lead with purpose in their roles. Through guided reflection and practical activities, participants will be encouraged to reignite their passion for higher education by clarifying their purpose, recognizing their value, and identifying sustainable strategies to find fulfillment and meaning in their work.

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Leading Change With Intention: 
Applying Hall & Hord’s Change Process Framework

Presented by Théophile Muhayimana / Schindler Education Center 304
In an era of constant and overlapping reforms, leaders need (more than strategies) a deeper understanding of how individuals experience change. This presentation introduces a research-based and human-centered framework that helps leaders move beyond implementation fatigue toward thoughtful, responsive, and sustainable change. Grounded in decades of research, Hall and Hord’s Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) highlights that change is not a single event, but a developmental process experienced differently by individuals over time. Participants will be introduced to the CBAM framework and explore how it can be meaningfully adapted to their own contexts.

Through interactive breakout sessions, table talks, gallery walks, and action planning, participants will examine strengths and challenges of the CBAM framework in their own settings and develop a practical plan to support effective change leadership. The session will be fast-paced and engaging, using brief reflection prompts, real-world examples, and purposeful visuals to bring theory to life. Participants will leave with a clear mental model and actionable insights they can immediately apply in their organizations to lead a successful change process.

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Learning About Teamwork by Playing in a Rock Band

Presented by Kevin Droe / Schindler Education Center 306
This interactive workshop invites participants to experience collaboration, communication, and shared leadership by playing together in a rock band. No prior musical experience required. Using simple, accessible instruments and guided structures, participants will form small groups and engage in low-pressure music-making that emphasizes listening, adaptability, and collective problem-solving rather than technical skill.

As participants play, pause, and reflect, the workshop will surface parallels between band dynamics and everyday work at UNI: how teams function without a single leader, how roles shift in real time, how mistakes are handled, and how trust and psychological safety support creative risk-taking. Brief reflection moments will connect the musical experience to teaching, advising, committee work, and cross-unit collaboration.

This session is designed to be inclusive, supportive, and playful while offering meaningful insights into human interaction and teamwork. Participants will leave with a shared experience, practical language for understanding collaboration in new ways, and the confidence of having played in a rock band. Yes, participants will also leave as rockstars.

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Keeping Hope Close

Presented by Ashley Coffin / Schindler Education Center 308
How do we keep the power of hope close for ourselves, our students, and those we love most when we are constantly consuming content that leaves us feeling, well, hopeless? Hope, different from optimism or wishing, is a powerful tool focused on goals, pathways, and agency. And the truth is, we often feel most hopeful when we engage, observe, and create experiences in the places closest to us; our homes, neighborhoods, and classrooms. But, HOW?! Well let’s talk about it together!

This uplifting and engaging breakout will give participants a clear set of tools to reclaim their own power over being hopeful and in turn, the ability to inspire others to do the same. The session will utilize large group and small breakout discussion with participants leaving inspired by the power of their own agency, showing up exactly where they are, and more importantly, hopeful about the power we all have to make a difference.

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Remaining Professionally Neutral in a Divided World

Presented by Joe Bolick / Schindler Education Center 309
We are living in a time of pretty significant divide, especially politically. It can be hard to separate your personal political beliefs from your professional duties and there are times when those can be at odds with one another. In this session, we'll talk about how to approach some of these difficult topics and tactics you can use to break through the divide and keep your organizations moving forward. Panelists include James Hoelscher (Associate Director of the Institute for Decision Making) and Christy Ryken (Director of Strategic Marketing Services).

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